The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off a humbling defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, have become the punching bag of every NFL fanbase outside Missouri. Social media is ablaze with hot takes, and the national media is gleefully piling on, ready to shovel dirt on the Chiefs’ dynasty. Leading the charge is Colin Cowherd, who, with his signature bombast, has declared Kansas City’s reign “dead and buried.” But let’s pump the brakes. Cowherd’s obituary for the Chiefs is not just premature—it’s so off-base it’s almost comical.
Cowherd’s argument hinges on two points: the AFC West’s supposed transformation into a juggernaut division and the aging of Kansas City’s key players. Sure, the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders have made strides, but let’s not kid ourselves—these teams have been the Chiefs’ punching bags for years, and they’ve yet to prove they can consistently challenge Patrick Mahomes and company. The idea that the AFC West is suddenly the NFL’s toughest division feels more like wishful thinking than a grounded take. The Chargers still need to show they can close big games, the Broncos are banking on a young quarterback finding his footing, and the Raiders… well, they’re the Raiders. Until these teams dethrone Kansas City in the standings, Cowherd’s “stacked division” narrative is just noise.
Then there’s the age argument. Yes, stars like Travis Kelce and some of the Chiefs’ supporting cast aren’t getting any younger. But let’s not act like this roster is hobbling into retirement homes. Patrick Mahomes, the NFL’s gold-standard quarterback, is still in his prime, capable of turning any game into a highlight reel. Andy Reid, a Hall of Fame coach, continues to outscheme opponents with play-calling that’s equal parts genius and sorcery. And Kelce? The guy who said he’s mentally tossing Super Bowl LIX “in the trash”? That’s not the sound of a player ready to hang it up—it’s the fire of a competitor who’s been here before and knows how to bounce back. Chiefs fans are echoing that sentiment, ready to move past the Eagles loss and focus on what’s next.
Cowherd’s take also ignores the bigger picture: dynasties don’t die just because they hit a speed bump. The Chiefs’ failure to three-peat—a feat no team has accomplished in the Super Bowl era—is being treated like a death knell. But history begs to differ. Tom Brady and the Patriots went a full decade between Super Bowl wins, yet no one was writing their eulogy. Why? Because elite teams with elite quarterbacks find ways to reload and reinvent. Mahomes, Reid, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo—who remains the best in the business despite the Super Bowl hiccup—are more than capable of doing just that.
Even if the Chiefs’ offense doesn’t light up the scoreboard with 50 touchdowns in 2025, their talent and depth keep them in the conversation with the AFC’s elite. Spagnuolo’s defense, which has been a cornerstone of Kansas City’s success, isn’t going anywhere. The Chiefs don’t need to dominate every game; they just need to be dangerous when it matters. And with Mahomes under center, they’re always a threat to rip off a playoff run that leaves the doubters eating crow.
The media’s rush to bury Kansas City at the first sign of adversity is shortsighted at best, lazy at worst. A fast start to the 2025 season could have Cowherd and his fellow pessimists scrambling to backtrack. The Chiefs aren’t a team that crumbles under scrutiny—they thrive on it. As long as Mahomes and Reid are steering the ship, writing off this dynasty isn’t just wrong; it’s borderline embarrassing. So, Colin, maybe hold off on the funeral plans. Kansas City’s got plenty of fight left.